KEN BOOTHE SR. AND LAKES CONTENDER CHRISTENED

On a rainy, cool April afternoon typical of an early spring day in Erie, Donjon Shipbuilding & Repair christened the first new bulk cargo vessel to be built in Erie in almost forty years.

Barge LAKES CONTENDER, a 740-foot long bulk cargo barge with capacity to carry 34,000 tons of cargo, and tug KEN BOOTHE SR., a 135-foot long, 10,700 horsepower articulated tug built to be mated with the CONTENDER, were christened at about 1630 hours this afternoon. Ellen S. Boothe, widow of the late Kenneth Boothe Sr., christened the tug KEN BOOTHE SR., and State Senator Jane Earll christened the LAKES CONTENDER.

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LAKES CONTENDER and KEN BOOTHE SR. all decked out for christening this afternoon.


KEN BOOTHE SR.


Color guard from U.S. Coast Guard Station Erie.


Congressman Mike Kelly speaks.


Jane Earll speaks.


Erie Mayor Joe Sinnott.


Donjon chairman J. Arnold Witte speaks.


Senator Earll christens the LAKES CONTENDER.


Ellen Boothe swings the traditional bottle of champagne toward the KEN BOOTHE SR The first time, the bottle didn't break.


The bottle hits the BOOTHE and breaks.


Christened.


Ellen Boothe, sponsor of KEN BOOTHE SR.


State Senator Jane Earll, sponsor of LAKES CONTENDER.